Ashya King’s parents face no further action: CPS

Clare Semke

NO further action will be taken against the parents of five-year-old Ashya King, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

In a statement the CPS has said it is taking steps to withdraw the European arrest warrants in relation to Brett and Naghemeh King.

It comes almost three days after the couple were arrested in Spain having taken Ashya, who has a brain tumour, there from Southampton General Hospital on Thursday.

The Kings, who live in Southsea, are being held in Madrid while their son is treated at a hospital 330 miles away in Malaga.

The CPS said in a statement: ‘No further action will be taken against Mr and Mrs King and we are now in the process of communicating this decision to the Spanish authorities so that they can be reunited with their son as soon as possible.’

It comes after prime minister David Cameron and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg joined growing calls for the couple to be released from custody to seek alternative treatment for their son.

A Southampton General Hospital spokesperson said in a statement that the trust running it would support Ashya’s care being transferred to Prague in the Czech Republic where he could receive proton beam treatment, which is preferred by the family.

Simon Hayes, Hampshire police and crime commissioner, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has made the correct decision to withdraw the European Arrest Warrant. Now Mr and Mrs King can be reunited with Ashya and other members of their family.

‘This is a very complex situation and I understand why Hampshire Constabulary took the action it did to request the issuing of the warrant. In light of today’s announcement by the CPS, I now need to be assured as to the quality of the information given by Southampton General Hospital to Hampshire Constabulary.

‘Now that Ashya is receiving the medical assistance he requires and Mr and Mrs King will be reunited with him, this is the time to analyse decisions that were made.

‘What is important is that the Ashya’s family can continue with their quest to get the medical support that he requires.’

Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock also welcomed the news.

He said: ‘I was calling yesterday for Ashya and his parents to be re-united as quickly as possible and I hope this can now happen very quickly indeed now the Police and the CPS have said it’s in everyone’s best interests for the warrant to be withdrawn.

‘I hope some commonsense can prevail in all of this as it has been sorely lacking so far and a way forward can be found on the treatment options for Ashya.’